AEDC Announces 19-Hour Power Outage in Seven Kogi State Locations
The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) has issued a public notice regarding a planned electricity outage that will last approximately 19 hours in several parts of Kogi State. This scheduled blackout is set to impact seven specific locations, including Lokoja town, Konton Karfe, Naval Base, Banda, Felele, Army Barracks, and surrounding areas. Residents and businesses in these communities have been advised to prepare for the temporary disruption in power supply.
Maintenance Exercise by Transmission Company of Nigeria
According to the announcement, the technical team of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has scheduled a maintenance exercise at the Lokoja Transmission Station. This planned work will involve maintenance on the TR2-150MVA 330/132KV and TR1 60MVA 132/33KV power transformers. The maintenance is part of TCN's ongoing efforts to upgrade the power network and enhance reliability across the region.
The outage is scheduled to take place on Saturday, March 7, 2026, from 10:00 pm to 5:00 pm. During this period, electricity supply to the affected areas will be temporarily disrupted. AEDC emphasized that this exercise is necessary for long-term improvements in power infrastructure, aiming to reduce future outages and ensure stable electricity delivery.
Impact on Local Communities
Residents in the seven locations have been urged to adjust their activities and make necessary arrangements to cope with the 19-hour power outage. The distribution company has apologized for any inconvenience caused and assured customers that the maintenance is crucial for enhancing service quality. This outage highlights the ongoing challenges in Nigeria's power sector, where maintenance and upgrades often require temporary disruptions to supply.
In a related development, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has directed electricity distribution companies to refund N20.33 billion owed to customers who paid for meters under the Meter Asset Provider (MAP) scheme. This order, signed on February 27, 2026, requires DisCos to complete the reimbursement within 12 months starting from March 1, 2026. The move aims to address delays in refunds for meters purchased by consumers.
Additionally, Ikeja Electric has apologized to customers experiencing power outages in other regions, citing gas supply shortages affecting national grid generation. These incidents underscore the broader issues within Nigeria's electricity sector, including infrastructure maintenance, regulatory compliance, and supply chain constraints.
